Federal inspectors have temporarily shut down a California meat companythat provided beef for the popular In-N-Out Burger chain and the U.S.school lunch program, saying there was evidence of "egregious, inhumanehandling and treatment of livestock."

The federal action came Monday after inspectors viewed an undercovervideo made at the Central Valley Meat Company in Hanford, Californiaover two weeks last month by an investigator for the animal rightsgroup, Compassion Over Killing.

The tape shows workers using electric prods on cattle that can barelywalk and the group alleged that the company used potentially diseased"downer cows" and treated them in an inhumane manner.

"The abuses that we uncovered should concern people for the way in whichthese animals were treated, but it also brings up food safety concernsand that is something that the American public wants to know about,"said Erica Meier, the executive director of Compassion Over Killing.

"Mistreating" a "commodity" that gets raised and slaughtered by the billion....Now there's an interesting concept.

EDIT:This whole daMn culture is run so thoroughly and completely on lies, illusions, and hidden truths that I suspect if the average person really knew about just one tenth of the violence, destruction, and exploitation necessary to keep a civilization like this running... they'd....they'd.......well they might just darn well curl up and watch another episode of American Idol and try to PROMPTLY forget the whole affair.

I saw that, but didn't read the connection to In-N-Out. That connection will probably turn out to be useful, because the family-owned corporation will likely jump on the supplier regarding such practices --and look into their other suppliers, if any.

Just yesterday, "... I slipped out and fondled a carrot, Caressing its feathery top. With the force of a brute I tore out the root! It whimpered and came with a pop!

Then laying my hand on a radish. I jerked and it left a small crater. Then with the blade of my True Value spade, I exhumed a slumbering tater! Celery I plucked, I twisted a squash! Tomatoes were wincing in fear! I choked the Romaine, It screamed out in pain, Their anguish was filling my ears! I finally came to the lettuce, As it cringed at the top of the row. With one wicked slice I beheaded it twice, As it writhed, I dealt a death blow.

I butchered the onions and parsley. My hoe was all covered with gore.I chopped and I whacked without looking back, Then I stealthily slipped in the door.

My bounty lay naked and dying, So I drowned them to snuff out their life. I sliced and I peeled as they thrashed and they reeled, On the cutting board under my knife. I violated tomatoes, So their innards could never survive. I grated and ground ‘til they made not a sound, Then I boiled the tater alive!

Then I took the small broken pieces, I had tortured and killed with my hands. And tossed them together, heedless of whether, They suffered or made their demands.

I ate them. Forgive me, I’m sorry. But hear me, though I’m a beginner. Those plants feel pain, though it’s hard to explain, To someone who eats them for dinner!"

How does this surprise ANYONE? The meat industry is simply that, an industry. To make as much profit as it can, to a world that clambers for cheaper meat. I am not one for shock value but I'll say this: watch http://www.getvegucated.com/ (it is on Amazon if you have Prime, for free) and then see how you feel about the industry.If you must eat meat, consume dairy and eggs, at least support those that do it in a manner that is positive. And you won't find any of that at fast food places nor in public schools.

So what the big deal about this it will not stop me from buyng from IN n OUT burger who makes the best burger around. IN n OUT burger is known nation and world wide first thing a some people say getting off a plane in Los Angeles is take me to IN n OUT burger.

Their is no way to slaughter animals humanely it a messy business. They use to shoot cows in the head with a gun. Then they used captive bolt pistol that use compressed air to blow a hole in the skull of the cow. The killer in the movie "No country for old men" used a captive blot gun.

Now they use Captive bolt stunners to keep the animals heart beating when they bleed them out so they get full bleed out.

Then they hang the cow up side down slit their throat drain the blood, skin them, cut them in half and quarter them. It's the price we pay because some of us like to eat meat.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Captive_bolt_pistol

If your vegetarian quit your belly aching enjoy the life you chose and let us enjoy the life we choose.Terry